Communications and Engagement Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Children’s Autism and Blindness Services Communication and Engagement Specialist works under the Director of the Children’s Autism and Blindness Services. Performs advanced senior level development of a comprehensive outreach and communication plan for both the Children’s Autism Program and the Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program (BCP). Collaborates with internal communications, including HHS media services, to ensure all external communications meet agency requirements. Works with staff in both the Children’s Autism Program and the Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program to provide statewide outreach and public awareness events. Manages the referral system for both programs to ensure appropriate referrals are assigned to appropriate geographic caseloads and contractors. Represents the program at meetings, conferences, and seminars to promote the Children’s Autism and Blindness Services. Coordinates with both state and national external partners to ensure quality services are provided to children and families. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Knowledge of HHS HR Manual, HR Policies, and other local/state/federal rules, statutes or policies related to the agency, program areas and developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of child development, autism, visual impairments, deafblindness, and childhood disabilities/syndromes.
• Knowledge of methods for the development and delivery of training.
• Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
• Skill in identifying problems, analyzing, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions related to programmatic challenges, and other issues.
• Skill in reviewing and preparing a variety of written documents with attention to detail and to make recommendations.
• Skill in organizing, coordinating, developing and directing projects.
• Skill in identifying measures of quality assurance/program performance.
• Skill in completing outreach, including public speaking and developing community partnerships.
• Skill in working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels in the organization as well as external stakeholders.
• Skill in using the internet and computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook proficiently.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, social and health care professionals, national, state and local governmental and community organizations, and advocacy groups.
• Ability to build effective work teams, train, motivate and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to organize and present information effectively both orally and written to a wide range of audiences including but not limited to memos, reports and presentations.
• Ability to lead in an environment of change, think creatively and support creative thinking in others.
• Ability to develop, facilitate and conduct trainings and presentations.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university or 4 years of experience in communications, media campaigns, outreach or public awareness work.
• Experience composing publications
• Experience developing and delivering presentations
• Experience cultivating collaborative community partnerships

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university
• Experience developing and delivering training and technical assistance
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Responsibilities

• Creates and implements a coordinated outreach and public awareness plan for both the Children’s Autism Program and the Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program to ensure the educational, medical and social service communities know eligibility requirements and how to refer children to services.
• Creates all external communications for the section including both the Children’s Autism Program and the Blind Children’s Vocational Discovery and Development Program. Collaborates with agency communications and media services to ensure all external communications meet agency requirements. Makes recommendations to leadership for updates to brochures and websites.
• Creates and manages the referral system for both programs to ensure appropriate referrals are assigned to appropriate geographic caseloads and contractors. Makes recommendations to management based on data for policy and procedure development and caseload distribution.
• Works with community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and create partnerships. Attends and presents at conferences to promote the program. Consults with statewide and national community partners and serves as a liaison to identify trends, gaps in services, and solve problems to improve effectiveness of services for children with autism and/or visual impairments statewide.

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees
• defined benefit pension plan
• generous time off benefits
• numerous opportunities for career advancement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level